Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié is shown a red card for covering his mouth during a confrontational exchange with an opponent at the 2026 World Cup. Sources report that the dismissal comes in stoppage time of Ecuador’s 2-0 loss to Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, with Hincapié sent off in the 95th minute. The incident follows FIFA’s new disciplinary rule, under which a player can be dismissed for covering their mouth in a confrontation with an opponent.
Multiple outlets also note that Hincapié is the second player to be punished under this rule at the tournament. Paraguay forward Miguel Almirón is identified as the first player affected, also receiving a red card for covering his mouth during a confrontation, in a group-stage match against Turkey last week. The reports characterize the Ecuador vs Mexico match as one in which Hincapié loses composure late on, leading to the red card.
